By Cynthia Hilsinger, Navy Medicine Professional Development Center Public Affairs
BETHESDA, Md. (NNS) -- Navy Medicine Professional Development Center (NMPDC) headquartered at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bethesda received the Special Olympics Special Friend Award March 13.
Olivia Hunter, program manager for the Naval District Washington Community Service Program, presented the award to Capt. Lee Cornforth, NMPDC commanding officer; Hospital Corpsmen 1st Class Arnel Galapir, an NMPDC maxillofacial prosthetic technician, and Elizabeth Patterson, NMPDC endodontic leading petty officer, during an all hands ceremony held at Memorial Auditorium at NSA Bethesda.
"It's quite an honor to stand up here and hear about all the services our members commit to the community," said Cornforth. "I could not be more proud of the NMPDC team. Their work in the local community is making a difference."
The Special Olympics Special Friend Award recognized the time and encouragement NMPDC volunteers gave during the Special Olympics bowling tournament held Feb. 24 at a Hyattsville, Md., bowling alley. The Sailors were dressed in uniform while they escorted and coached 132 children from nine local elementary schools.
"The children were excited to see the uniforms," said Banias, the NMPDC command community coordinator who helped to organize the event. "We tried to motivate them to do better and give them the can-do-it spirit."
Sailors kept track of the children's scores, kept them safe during the competition, and kept the schedule of the tournament.
"It's so important to have the active duty member there," said Hunter. "It brings a lot of energy. You haven't seen anything until you see a Special Olympics victory dance."
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